Christopher Lyons oral history interview conducted by Julie Broihier, August 4, 2010

About

Christopher was a contractor working for Home Depot on 9/11, as well as a volunteer firefighter with a department on Long Island. As soon as he learned of the attack, he reported to his department. While driving into the city on the fire truck, he saw the plume of smoke from the burning towers. As they approached Ground Zero, "It went from a clear blue sky to dark dirt and debris." Everything was covered with dust, and it was difficult to breathe. He worked on the bucket brigade with the FBI and firefighters--the "core people." Initially, it was a joy to work with them, but that changed over time as people struggled for control. One of his most powerful experiences was when someone yelled, "Quiet," to signify the discovery of a body or a trapped person. He found his first victim underneath a crossbar. He never found anybody alive, recalling, "Even the cadaver dogs were having problems." When they found a policeman crushed under his patrol car, fellow police officers came to take the body away. The firefighters did the same for their fellow firefighter victims. When he needed a break and drove up the Westside Highway, he saw a line of people. At first, he thought they were protestors, but they pulled him out of his car and hugged him. They were holding up signs of gratitude, and Christopher still stays in touch with some of them. He says, "Without them, I probably would never have made it." When responders went for a meal at some NYC restaurants, their bill would be paid.…

Archive

Library of Congress, in Library of Congress

Licence or status

Rights statement at the Library of Congress, as the Library of Congress states it.

Credit

Library of Congress

Language

English

Country

United States

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